Merlin vs Monica:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Monica had more branded searches than Merlin among AI browser extensions worldwide. Monica had about 90,500 branded searches, while Merlin had 60,500. Monica made up 34.6% of all AI browser extension searches we track, and Merlin accounted for 23.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about AI browser extensions, Monica appeared in three of the five answers and Merlin in two. Monica was mentioned before Merlin in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Monica, about 50% more searches than Merlin
Who does AI mention more?
Monica, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Merlin in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Monica, named ahead of Merlin in 3 of 3 answers
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Top AI browser extensions in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Monica was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Merlin was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Monica was listed before Merlin in every answer that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Monica3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Grammarly3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Perplexity3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Merlin2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Sider2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Harpa2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
MaxAI1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about AI browser extensions
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which AI browser extension should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best AI browser extensions?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best AI browser extension for browser help?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“ai browser extension”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“chatgpt browser extension”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is Merlin or Monica more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Merlin and Monica by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven AI browser extensions we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Monica, Merlin. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Monica | Grammarly | Merlin | Sider | Harpa | MaxAI | Perplexity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 30.4% | 27.8% | 20.4% | 16.7% | 2.7% | 1.5% | 0.43% |
| Nov 2025 | 31.1% | 24.8% | 20.9% | 17.1% | 3.4% | 2.3% | 0.37% |
| Dec 2025 | 28.4% | 37.9% | 15.5% | 12.7% | 3.1% | 2.1% | 0.31% |
| Jan 2026 | 28.4% | 33.7% | 19% | 12.7% | 3.8% | 2.1% | 0.28% |
| Feb 2026 | 35.8% | 32.1% | 16.1% | 10.8% | 3.2% | 1.8% | 0.23% |
| Mar 2026 | 39.4% | 28.9% | 14.5% | 11.8% | 3.5% | 1.6% | 0.21% |
| Apr 2026 | 31% | 34.2% | 17.1% | 11.4% | 4.2% | 1.9% | 0.25% |
| May 2026 | 30.1% | 33.8% | 16.5% | 13.5% | 4% | 1.8% | 0.24% |
| Jun 2026 | 31.9% | 29.1% | 21.3% | 11.7% | 3.5% | 2.3% | 0.21% |
| Jul 2026 | 33.1% | 30.2% | 22.1% | 9.9% | 3% | 1.6% | 0.18% |
| Aug 2026 | 34.5% | 27.3% | 23% | 10.3% | 3.1% | 1.7% | 0.15% |
| Sep 2026 | 34.6% | 24.6% | 23.1% | 12.7% | 3.1% | 1.7% | 0.18% |
How has the Merlin and Monica comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Monica was ahead of Merlin in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Merlin’s share of searches among AI browser extensions worldwide moved from 20.4% to 23.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 90.5K to 60.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Monica’s share of searches among AI browser extensions worldwide moved from 30.4% to 34.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 135K to 90.5K.
How did search popularity change for AI browser extensions worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
Monica’s share of searches among AI browser extensions worldwide has gained ground for 3 months in a row, from 31.9% to 34.6% in September 2026.
Merlin’s share of searches among AI browser extensions worldwide has gained ground for 3 months in a row, from 21.3% to 23.1% in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Merlin’s and Monica’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among AI browser extensions
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